The 5-foot-9, 210 pounder joins a running back room currently highlighted by Gophers star back Darius Taylor. Ford’s addition helps restock the cupboard at the position, after Minnesota had a couple running back commits flip to other programs late in the cycle.

The Minnesota Gophers got a late commitment on Sunday morning from 2024 Louisiana Mr. Football Xavier Ford, a 2025 running back out of Leesville.

The Gophers football program gained a commitment from 2025 three-star Louisiana running back Xavier Ford on Sunday.

The Gophers football program added depth to its backfield on Sunday when highly productive running back Xavier Ford from Leesville (La.) High School gave a verbal commitment to join Minnesota’s 2025 recruiting class.

Xavier Ford. Ford was named “Mr. Football” by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association after a record-setting season in which he rushed for 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns. He will officially sign his letter of intent on Feb.